Agenda Meeting Twelve - Nov. 28, 2016

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  • Today: : Nov. 28
    • Dylan a Day - a story song to express moral outrage - Hurricane
      Dylan - Hurricane lyrics.doc
    • Hand back, discuss evaluations of Research Progress Reports
    • Note: I expect in the Research Papers and presentations to see very explicit connections to the concepts and methodological tools that we have examined in this seminar.. That means
      • a focus on stories and storytelling
      • types of story/story fragments - murder ballads, love ballads, journey ballads, social justice themed ballads, moral ballads, historical/factual ballads, etc.
      • story elements, how the storyteller/lyricist has used them, and how they resonate with their audience
      • connections to classic narrative structure and concerns first seen in iconic texts such as the Odyssey
      • song evolution through space and time as the audience changes
      • the issue of credibility of the stories and storytellers and how that issue is handled.
      • the transgressive elements, of balladry
      • the conflict focus of ballads.
      • Note as well the wiki page on the different approaches to analysis and the examples that I provided..
    • Note: If your paper is beginning to look like a facil analysis of "one of my favorite songs or artists," you need to fall back , regroup, and dig deeper. I want to see deep reflection and serious contemplation of new ways of seeing songs and stories.
    • Schedule Research Presentations beginning Wed. Nov. 23. Note we have 14 presentations to schedule"
      • November 30 - two to four presentations
      • Dec. 5 - four presentations
      • Dec. 7 - six to eight presentations (Using the listening/Discussion session if needed)
    • Discuss issues that emerged in the Research Progress Reports
      • Stylistic Issues - "Pity the reader" (Kurt Vonnegut) - aspirational goals for writers
        • Clarity - the reader readily understands the words, sentences, and paragraphs
        • Precision - the writing conveys the meanings you wish to convey in a straightforward, unambiguous fashion
        • Conciseness - using the minimum number of words.
      • Bad writing and fear.
        • Kinds of fear
          • fear that the reader will not understand
          • fear of criticism or attack
        • Ways that writers sacrifice clear, powerful writing to fear.
          • weasel words - somewhat, possible, probable, seems, appears, might, perhaps
          • evasive stylistic choices -
            • passive voicing
            • long, complex sentences with numerous subordinate clauses.
          • redundancy
        • The prescription to counteract habits that have emerge from fear
          • Use short sentences with powerful concrete nouns and vigorous action verbs.
          • Use adverbs sparingly - as Stephan King says, "The adverb is not your friend"
          • Edit and then edit again. Edit with these questions in mind.
            • Can I use fewer words for this?
            • Can I make this more powerful?
            • Can I make this more credible?
          • Disguise from the reader any lack of confidence you may feel. It is the reader's job to bring his or her powers of reason and reflection to bear on your writing.
      • Grammatical Issues - proofread and if you have not grasped grammatical conventions, get someone who does to help you proof read.
      • Structural issues; A paper must begin, develop, and end.
        • Most problems are in the first and last paragraphs.
          • In the first paragraph
            • get to the point
            • avoid rhetorical self reference
            • don't try to show off
            • don't raise expectations that you cannot satisfy
          • In the last paragraph
            • Summarize the points you've covered
            • Harken back to the first paragraph
            • Conclude
              • In an essay note that you have proved your point
              • In a research paper enumerate questions that will require further research
            • Do not drop your reader off a cliff with a sudden precipitous ending when you realize you've typed the number of pages your assignment requires.
          • As regards the middle paragraphs
            • Make sure your sequencing of points is logical and powerful
            • Check to be sure that there is continuity and flow from one point and paragraph to the next
  • Note:The Research Papers will be Due on the last day of class (Dec. 7)